Two cases of COVID-19 have been reported by UAE TeamEmirates. Marc Hirschi tested positive for the virus during the Tour de Suisse, while Mikkel Bjerg tested positive during the Tour de Slovenia. Both riders have been immediately removed from the race.
"Following Hirschi and Bjerg's covid report, their colleagues and staff in both races were immediately tested, according to a statement from the UAE Emirates. All of the tests were negative. Hirschi's roommate Joel Suter and Vegard Stake Laengen returned negative results but were removed off course as a precaution," the team said in a press release. Hirschi and Ulissi both tested positive.
"Unfortunately, like many other teams, we have also had to deal with COVID-19 cases. Our affected riders have been fully examined and are showing mild symptoms, Their roommates are considered high-risk contacts, so in the interests of the health of the riders, the team and the community we have decided that it is best that they too are withdrawn," team doctor Adrian Rotunno said.
At the Tour de Suisse the outbreak is reaching shocking levels as only this morning EF Education-EasyPost and Alpecin-Fenix pulled their whole teams out of the race, whilst several other riders throughout several teams have abandoned the race.
We were hit by two cases of Covid-19 within 24-hours through @MarcHirschi in #TourdeSuisse2022 and @mikkelbbjerg at the #TourOfSlovenia . Both riders have therefore been withdrawn from competition. #JoelSuter & @VSLaengen also taken out as precaution. 📝uaeteamemirates.com/hirschi-bjerg-…
